Are you thinking of adopting a Miniature Siberian Husky? Look no further as we’ve got everything you need to know about this relatively new, smaller version of the Siberian Husky. Find out whether this breed is the right one for you and your family.
What Is a Miniature Siberian Husky?
The miniature Husky is just a smaller version of the regular Siberian Husky. Many people think that miniature Husky puppies and dogs are Pomskies (Pomeranian Husky mix) or Alaskan Klee Kai dogs, but they are actually the same exact breed as the Husky.
Mini Huskies are Siberian Huskies that have been selectively bred to be much smaller than regular-sized Huskies. However, a miniature size variation is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), The Kennel Club, or other international canine registries.
The breed standard for the Husky lists no other size variants, unlike in Poodles where there are standard, toy, and miniature poodle variants. The AKC also does not recognize mini Siberian Huskies as a separate dog breed.
True miniature Husky puppies are not that easy to find. Some backyard breeders or sellers attempt to sell Pomskies or the Alaskan Klee Kai as miniature Husky puppies. Such breeders tend to not use responsible breeding practices.
Miniature Siberian Husky and Siberian Husky Breed Overview
Pedigree: Siberian Husky
Breed Group: Working
Breed size: Medium breed dog (standard)
Small breed to medium breed dog (miniature)
Height:
14 to 17 inches (miniature male)
12 to 14 inches (miniature female)
21 to 23.5 inches (standard male)
20 to 22 inches (standard female)
Weight:
30 to 40 pounds (miniature male)
25 to 35 pounds (miniature female)
45 to 60 pounds (standard male)
35 to 50 pounds (standard female)
Energy level: Active
Lifespan: 11 to 14 years
History of the Miniature Siberian Husky
The miniature Husky or teacup husky was created by Bree Normandin of North Carolina. In the 1990s, she created the more compact-sized husky by selectively breeding small-sized Siberian Huskies.
Her goal was to create a small version of the breed without cross-breeding with a smaller dog breed.
By 2004, Normandin has successfully bred miniature husky pups with qualities that met her standards. She sold the first miniature husky puppy in December 2004.
History of the Siberian Husky
Developed by the Chukchi people of the Chuckchi Peninsula in Siberia, the Siberian Husky is a distinct breed descended from Siberian dogs that existed thousands of years ago. Considered a natural breed, Huskies have evolved to adapt to their environment with very little intervention or genetic tweaking from humans.
Huskies and some Arctic dog breeds such as the Greenland dog share an ancestor in the now extinct Taimyr wolf of North Asia. It is believed that some Taimyr wolves have bred with dogs that were predecessors of the high-latitude dog breeds that we know today.
Needing to hunt in farther lands, the semi-nomadic Chukchi required dogs that could help transport light loads over far distances in the harsh, cold climate of Siberia.
Because of the long distances that they travel in extreme weather, the dogs must be capable of using only a low amount of energy to ensure safe travels to their destination and back.
This meant that the sled dogs must be fast and light. These Chukotka dogs had high endurance, were intelligent, and were easily trained. These wolf cousins are widely considered the progenitor of the Siberian Husky.
By the 1890s, the dogs were being imported into Alaska to work as sled dogs during the Klondike Gold Rush. It was not long before the North Americans called them the Siberian Huskies to distinguish the imports from other sled dog breeds.
The 1925 Serum Run to Nome
The Siberian Husky as a breed had a massive surge in popularity when several sled dog teams and mushers worked together to transport a serum that would save a small Alaskan town from an imminent epidemic.
Known as the Great Race of Mercy, a dog sled relay that involved 150 dogs and 20 mushers delivered diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska. The relay covered a total distance of 674 miles (1,085 km) in just 5+1⁄2 days.
The mushers and the dogs were widely portrayed as heroes by the media for their efforts to deliver the serum not just in record time but through the perils of extreme environmental conditions as well.
Most famous of all the sled dogs was Balto – the lead dog of the team that ran the last leg of the relay to deliver the serum to Nome. He was owned by musher and breeder Leonhard Seppala. The musher of the last leg was Gunnar Kaasen. A statue of Balto was erected at New York City’s Central Park in honor of all the dogs that participated in the relay.
While Balto was the lead dog of the team that delivered the serum, it was another dog of Seppala’s that ran the longest leg of the relay. He and his 12-yr old lead sled dog Togotraveled a total of 264 miles during the Great Race of Mercy.
Togo is credited with saving his team when they got stranded on an ice floe. According to the AKC, the extremely intelligent dog managed to use a snapped line like a harness by rolling it around his shoulders to pull his team to safety.
According to the AKC, the Siberian Husky’s official breed standard states that the height of male huskies should be 21 to 23½ inches at the withers, and females should be between 20 to 22 inches. A purebred standard Siberian Husky should weigh around 35 to 60 pounds.
While the miniature Husky is not a mixed breed dog, they do not meet the AKC’s breed standard. Bred to be much smaller, male mini Huskies are only about 14-17 inches tall, while female miniature Huskies are about 12-14 inches.
They weigh only around 25-40 pounds. The significant difference in size can make the teacup Husky weigh only about half a standard Siberian Husky!
Coat
Bred to be sled dogs in the harsh and extremely cold environment of the Siberian Arctic, mini Huskies have double coats that are thicker than that of other double-coated dog breeds.
They have a dense layer of fine undercoat that gives them protection from the cold. This natural insulation made of dog hair is shed twice every year.
The top coat or guard hairs are slightly longer than the undercoat. These straight, medium-length guard hairs not only protect the dog from harsh winters but also reflects the heat of the sun during the summer months.
The same fluffy coat covers the brush tail of the miniature Husky. Their sickle-shaped tails are carried over their backs when they are alert and at attention.
Coat Color and Markings of the Miniature Husky and Siberian Husky
The miniature Husky comes in a wide variety of coat colors and marking variations just like the standard Husky.
Here is the list of allowable Siberian Husky colors coat colors and markings, according to the AKC:
Coat Colors
Agouti & White
Black
Black & White
Black Tan & White
Brown & White
Gray & White
Red & White
Sable & White
White
Markings
Piebald
Saddle-Back
Head
Often described as outgoing, mini huskies often have a friendly and alert expression, with some of them having a mischievous look about them.
The head of the miniature Husky should be of small size and in proportion to the body. The AKC describes the husky’s head as “slightly rounded on top and tapering from the widest point to the eyes.”
The mini Husky has a muzzle that is of medium length and medium width. It should be tapering gradually to the nose with the tip neither pointed nor square.
Eyes
The Miniature Husky and standard-sized Huskies have almond-shaped eyes that are either blue, brown, one of each, or particolored. Parti-colored eyes mean eyes that have more than one color in one eye.
It is common for miniature Husky dogs to be bi-eyed or have one blue and one brown eye. Parti-colored eyes are much rarer. It is said that only about 5% of Siberian Huskies have particolored eyes.
Born with blue eyes, miniature Husky puppies may change eye color at around 5 to 8 weeks of age. By the age of approximately 12 to 16 weeks, the eyes of the miniature Husky puppy will start settling into their permanent color.
Ears
Miniature Husky puppies and mini Huskies have triangular-shaped ears that are set high up on their heads. Their erect ears have slightly rounded tips.
Just like Siberian Huskies, the miniature Husky breed has a larger-than-life personality as seen in countless videos of them on the internet. Huskies and miniature Huskies howl and very rarely bark.
They are often portrayed as sassy dogs who appear to vocalize their like or dislike for certain things such as going into a crate or going home from the dog park.
Always full of energy, the miniature Husky needs space to safely run around. Bred as sled dogs, they have an overwhelming urge to run and are known to be escape artists. So a securely fenced yard is highly recommended.
The miniature Husky and standard Husky can dig under fences, chew through them, or even jump over them. A fence that is durable and has the dimensions that can prevent them from doing such should keep them in. Due to the much smaller size of the miniature Husky, they may not need as big a fence as standard ones.
Despite their striking wolf-like appearance, Siberian Huskies are great with children. Not only were they bred to work, but they also provided companionship for the Chukchi people and were never left to their own devices. When not in a high-energy mode, a Husky can become a loving lap dog depending on his or her mood.
Like Huskies, the miniature Husky makes a great family dog that sees every member as a pack member. Due to this, the Husky is a loyal dog that craves spending time with his or her pack. They do not do well when left alone for long hours. Doing so can cause them to be highly stressed and develop destructive behaviors.
Huskies and mini Huskies have a high prey drive and will chase cats and other small animals when given the chance. Early socialization and training can teach these energetic dogs that your pet cat or other pets are part of their pack.
While they may have a high prey drive, these descendants of wolves do not make great guard dogs. The miniature Husky is a friendly and gentle dog that rarely barks and is not known to be aggressive to humans.
Exercise Requirements of the Miniature Husky
As naturally born athletes and working dogs, Siberian Huskies and miniature Huskies need a lot of exercise to keep them fit and mentally stimulated. This intelligent breed craves physical activity and thrives when given a job.
They enjoy going out to walk, jog or run with their owners. Huskies will fit perfectly with a family that has an active lifestyle as they not only love spending time with their owners but also have a lot of energy to expend.
Due to their overwhelming urge to run, Huskies should be on a leash whenever outdoors. When properly trained and socialized, they would enjoy playtime with other dogs in the dog park.
The Miniature Siberian Husky’s Health
As a natural breed, the Siberian Husky is quite healthy. Unlike many medium and large breed dogs, the standard and miniature Husky are not prone to hip or elbow dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ranked them at 155th out of a possible 160 breeds at risk for hip dysplasia, with only two percent of tested Huskies showing dysplasia.
Responsible breeders should have their breeding stock checked for genetic conditions such as corneal dystrophy, canine glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, congenital laryngeal paralysis, etc. The Siberian Husky Club of America has strict guidelines to help reduce the number of dogs with such conditions.
The miniature Husky lives up to an average lifespan of about 11 to14 years.
High-quality dog food that is formulated to be complete and balanced for your dog’s age and activity level is important in caring for a healthy miniature Husky.
Combined with enough exercise, mental stimulation, and bonding time with their families, these dogs can remain fit and free from illnesses for many years.
Grooming Miniature Huskies
Another benefit of having a natural breed dog is that they do not smell. Like Siberian Huskies, the miniature Husky breed is a self-cleaning dog that only needs a few baths per year.
When giving the mini Husky baths, use a gentle organic shampoo and conditioner that are hypoallergenic for best results.
Because of their thick double coat, the miniature Husky requires weekly brushings with a pin brush or a slicker brush to help keep the skin and coat healthy. Mini Huskies’ shedding season is during the spring and fall seasons. The mini Huskies’ shed undercoat can be removed using a pin brush and a metal comb.
The fluffy coats of the miniature Husky should not be shaved or clipped, but the fur between their toes can be trimmed if needed. Their whiskers must not be clipped as well. However, as with all dogs, their nails should be trimmed to prevent foot problems.
Good dental health is vital in keeping any dog healthy and happy. Brush the teeth of your miniature Husky daily if possible. To help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation, the recommended brushing is a minimum of 3 times weekly.
Only toothpaste made for dogs should be used as those designed for humans have ingredients that can be toxic to dogs. You can also use no-brush tooth gels for dogs in between brushings.
Yes, they do exist. However, the miniature Husky is not recognized as a size variant of the purebred Siberian Husky by the AKC or other international dog registries. The miniature Husky is also not officially classified as a separate breed.
While some so-called “miniature” versions of certain dog breeds are products of cross-breeding with a smaller breed, a true miniature Husky is born from the selective breeding of smaller purebred Huskies. This is why apart from the size, mini Huskies have all of the breed’s physical traits and temperament.
Are the Miniature Siberian Husky, Pomsky, and Alaskan Klee Kai All the Same?
No. The mini Husky, Pomsky, and the Alaskan Klee Kai are different from one another. The mini Husky dogs were developed by selectively breeding the smallest purebred Siberian Huskies to produce a significantly smaller than the standard dog. Cross-breeding with a smaller dog breed was not done to preserve the genetic make-up of the purebred Siberian Husky.
The Pomsky or Pomeranian Husky is a small designer dog breed. The relatively new breed is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky. The Pomeranian is one of the most popular toy and teacup dog breeds.
Pomskies are similar in size and appearance to the mini Husky or teacup Husky. These small dogs have a slightly longer coat compared to most toy Huskies.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a breed of dog developed in Alaska in the 1970s. Unlike the mini Husky, the Alaskan Klee Kai is a recognized breed by the AKC. The breed’s foundation stock is comprised of genes from the Alaskan Husky, American Eskimo Dog, Siberian Husky, and Schipperke.
The Alaskan Klee Kai’s appearance is also similar to that of the standard-sized Siberian Husky. They are more compact at only 12 to 17 inches in height.
Are Miniature Huskies Easy to Train?
While they may have an independent streak, mini Huskies are not hard to train. These smart dogs can do well in obedience training, especially if started at a young age.
While you can recall train them, it is still recommended to keep them on a leash when outdoors or in a non-fenced area.
How Much Does the Miniature Husky Cost?
True miniature Huskies are quite rare and are hard to find. As such, buying one can cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay between $900 to $2500 for a mini Husky puppy.
Because there are only a select few breeders that specialize in them, there’s a good chance you would have to pay more to arrange suitable transport service.
Conclusion
Now that you know that a true miniature version of the legendary Husky exists, the challenge is finding one. These dogs are not common and very few reputable breeder/s specialize in mini Husky puppies or teacup Husky puppies.
Be wary of breeders and sellers that may pass off Husky mixes or other dogs as a mini Husky.
If you are unable to find a responsible mini Husky puppy breeder in your area, there are other dogs that have similar qualities to the mini Husky. We highly encourage our readers to visit shelters and sanctuaries that may have Huskies or Husky-mixes that would love to have a good home.
Just like their full-size counterparts, miniature Huskies and mini Husky puppies are not for busy households who have no time to spend with their dog, or clean as they will shed their gloriously fluffy coats!
While they make great family dogs, this pocket-sized version of Huskies requires attention and activities involving their family members.
A freelance writer and huge animal advocate, with 6 dogs and 3 cats. Graduated with a medical degree and is now spending time running a shelter and rescuing animals in need. Loves a good book, travel and spend time with family and pets.
